In the battle against discrimination and the effects of discrimination:

1.  Data collected in 2010 indicates that only one percent of ELL students were allowed accommodations on the California Standards Test (CST).

2.  Statewide budget cuts have resulted in the loss of many support service programs at sites with less funding or fundraising.  This has created a pattern of “haves” and “have-nots.”  Members are encouraged to use the Williams complaint procedure when unequal access to support services such as access to library classes exists in their districts.  Parents and students should be encouraged to file Williams complaints when they are the victims of support discrimination.

3. CTA may formally condemn the Tucson [Arizona] High School ban on Mexican-American Studies Programs and the elimination of ethnic studies.  CTA is also considering asking for a similar expression of condemnation by the leadership of the NEA.

4.  The State Council on Education voted to support AB 1166 (Solorio).  The bill clarifies that a school may not include information on student identification cards or any other object that students are required to carry that reflects their performance on standardized tests or course grades.

5.  CTA may appoint a liaison to the statewide National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Organization.

6.  CTA may write a letter of support for Carlos Montes, the Civil rights crusader of the 1960s “walk-out” era who fought to improve conditions for students of East LA and is now falsely accused on trumped-up charges because of his continued activism and advocacy for social justice.

7.  The reduction or elimination of Adult Education programs reduces options for many students. AB 189 and SB 734 benefit adult education, community college licensed technical programs and trade technical programs at secondary schools.  AB 189 requires the local school board to hold public hearings to disclose what categorical funds are being used to fund other educational programs.  SB 734 recognizes the potential for leveraging occupational training leading to gainful employment for students.

The California Continuation Education Association’s annual conference is April 26-29 in North Hollywood [www.ccanet.org ].

The CITEA Conference will be held in conjunction with the ITTEA conference March 15-17 in Long Beach.

The California Work Experience Educators mini-conference will be held in Chino on March 16 [www.cawee.org].

The Educating for Careers Conference will be held in Sacramento February 13-15 [2012.ccpc-conference.net].

8.  Governor Brown has not appointed new commissioners to the Fair Employment and Housing Commission and no meetings have taken place.

Time for Action

Occupy Education California will hold two events in March.  CTA has endorsed the Occupy Movement Statewide Day of Action in Defense of Public Education and is calling upon members to support actions in conjunction with the Occupy Movement’s public education involvement events during the week of March 1-8.   TheMarch 1, 2012 event is designed to demonstrate support for public education and social services on the National Day of Action.  Occupy the State Capitol is scheduled for March 5, 2012.  [Check www.occupyeducationca.org ]

Dates to keep in mind when developing lessons:

African American Heritage Month – February

Women’s History Month – March

GAY Lesbian Pride Month – June

Hispanic Heritage Month – Sep 15-Oct 15

American Indian Heritage Month – November